Artificial limb



(Model.)

F. 11. FAIRGHILD. ARTIFICIAL LIMB.

170,411,377. Patented Sept. 17, 1889.,

UNITED STATES PATENT GEEICE.

FRANK. H. FAIRCHILD, OF ATCHISON, KANSAS.

ARTIFICIAL LIMB.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 411,377', dated September 1*?, 1889.

Application filed March 13, 1889. Serial No. 303,087. (Model.)

To all whom, it may concern.-

Be it known that I, FRANK. I-I. FATRCHILD, of Atchison, Atchison county, Kansas, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Artiiicial Limbs, of which the following is a full, clear, and exact description, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, forming a part hereof.

This invention relates to certain improvements in artificial legs, having for its object lightness, flexibility, and comfort; and to these ends the nature of my invention consists of the detailed construction and combination of parts, as will fully appear from the following description and accompanying illustration, in which Figure l is aperspective view of my improved articial leo. Fig. 2 is a sectional elevation of the same, a portion being broken away; and Fig. 3 is a detailed front view thereof with portions also broken away.

In the organization of my invention I construct the legs of two sections B and C, which are articulated together by means of the metallic straps D D', the lower section C being connected to the foot or foot-section F F' also by means of the straps D D', the lower ends of the straps being connected or pivoted to the foot or foot-section.

The upper leg-section B is made of soft., pliable leather, and is caused to embrace and is laced upon the limb or stump above the knee by a strong leather string or whang i, while the lower leg-section is made of stiif soleleather, and has in its front, near the foot, a ven; tilatiomopening Z9. The straps D D', connecting the leg-sections together, are themselves in sections, two sections being applied and secured upon each side of the leg-sections by means of rivets, as at c c, or otherwise, and jointed, as at E, the joints curving rearward from a plane passing longitudinally through the middle of the leg-sections. The joint at one side of the leg is of greater prominence, or bowed outward to a greater extent, as at a', than the other, to conform to the condyles of the legs upon the under sides thereof, in order that no chafing action shall result at this point.

The lower end of the leg-section C is stepped, as at C', being reduced at the forward edge of the shank c', and standing slightly above the same, as at C2. The rear of the stepped portion C' embraces the rubber cushions I above the heel cushions or springs H. This provides for the requisite fleXure at th at point. Straps, however, made of sections straight throughout are for practicable purposes preferable, preventing the lifting of the foot from the floor or surface when the wearer is in a sitting posture. The inner side of the lower section C has an additional layer or thickness of material a upon its inside above the ventilation-opening I), reenforcing or stiffening it, while upon the rear inside of the section and reaching down to and a short distance belovsT the upper edge of the foot is a re-en= forcing piece or block L. This block rests at its lower end upon a rubber cushion or spring I-I at the heel end of the foot F F' i A second rubber or elastic cushion or spring I is let into the shank part c' of Vthe foot F F', said rubber cushion or spring I abutting at its rear end against the rubber spring H and the wooden block or piece L. This arrangement forms a slightly yielding and stable or solid rear connection between the lower leg-section and the foot, lessening friction and making a noiseless joint.

The foot consists of two sections F F', which are articulated or jointed together by means of a hinge K, flexing upward, but straightening out in the opposite direction, thus retain ing the sections in position as the foot is moved or carried forward.

Between the sections of the foot above the hinge K, where the sections are reduced so as to provide a V-shaped recess, is inserted a correspondingly-shaped rubber or elastic cushion or spring G, which limits the upward iiexing of the outer section of the foot, permittin g it to have just sufficient independent movement to provide for easy manipulation of the same as the opposite leg makes a forward movement, the forward section of the artificial foot at this time slightly flexing up ward. The rubber spring or cushion G is prevented from upward displacement by means of plates d d, fastened to the footsections and resting at their projecting edges upon said spring or cushion.

This leg, it will be seen, is characteristic for IOO lightness,irmness, flexibility, and strength, as well asbeing inexpensive to manufacture, and consequentlywithin reach of all, for cheapness, having need of the same.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is-

1. In an artificial leg, the combination of the lower leg-section having the block L at its lower end and rear side, and the foot articulated to the lower leg-section and having the elastic cushion I bearing against the front side of block L, and the elastic cushion H, bearing under the lower end of said block, substantially as described.

2. The artificial limb having the lower legsection provided with the block L, the foot articulated to the said lower leg-section and having the sections F F', with' their opposing sides, at the joint inclined upward from each other, the hinge K on the lower side of the foot-sections and connecting the saine together, the wedge-shaped elastic cushion G in the foot-joint, the plates d on the foot-sections and bearing on the said cushion, and the elastic cushions I H, recessed in the heel portion of foot-section F, the said cushion I bearing against the front side of block L, and the said cushion H bearing against the lower end of said block, substantially as described. In testimony whereof I affix my signature in presence of two witnesses.

FRANK. H. FAIRCHILD, Witnesses:

F. G. FISCHER, A. A. I-IIGnoN. 

